Corn harvester rolls



March 15, 1955 c. J. scRANToN CORN HARVESTER ROLLS Filed July 9, 1955 inknh.-

United States Patent O CORN HARVESTER ROLLS Charles J. Scranton, La Porte, Ind., assignor to Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application July 9, 1953, Serial No. 367,014

9 Claims. (Cl. 130-5) This invention relates generally to corn harvesters and is more particularly concerned with providing an improved husking action to the husking rolls thereof.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a readily` replaceable rubber husking plug which can easily be inserted into andpremoved from a husking roll.

A further object of this invention is to provide eilicient means for retaining a husking plug in a husking ing plug in a husking roll wherein the husking plug onlyk coacts with an opposed roll when material to be husked is positioned between the rolls, thereby prolonging the life of the husking plug by no t flexing same when material is not positioned between `the rolls.

A further object of this invention is to provide a husking plug and means for mounting same in a husking roll so that relative movement yof the plug to the roll is prevented.

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view in a transverse plane extending through the axes of a pair of cooperative harvesting rolls embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line II-Il of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of one of the rolls similar to one shown in Fig. 3 showing a modified em bodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but just showing one of the husking plugs itself.

Referring to the drawings, 2 and 3 represent outer and inner rolls, respectively, of a pair of oppositely rotatable, cooperative harvesting rolls of a corn harvester, the rolls being disposed in generally side by side relation, but preferably with the outer roll 2 set slightly higher than the inner roll 3. The rolls are disposedin operative position for rotation along the longitudinal axes, with journal portions of the rolls rotatably mounted and secured against longitudinal movement in bearings carried by rear bearing housings 4 mounted on a supporting bracket (not shown) carried by the frame of the corn harvester, and in bearings carried by bearing housings 6 at forward portions of the rolls 2 and 3. The bearing housings 6 are carried in guided relation on a supporting bracket 7 mounted on the harvester frame (not shown), the bearing housing 6 on the outer roll 2 being yieldably biased, to maintain the roll 2 in the desired normal position with respect to the roll 3, by means of an adjustable biasing spring 8 mounted within a tubular extension of the bearing bracket 7.

The harvesting rolls are shown as being of the type including forward point portions 9 attached to the shafts 11 and 12 of rolls 2 and 3, respectively, by means of pins 13. Snapping portions 14 are mounted about shafts 11 and 12 and are provided at their forward ends with jaw clutches 16 mating with complementary jaws on the ICC rear ends of point portions 9 to provide a driving connection therebetween. Snapping portions 14 are provided with parallel llutes 17 on the periphery thereof serving to snap ears of corn from stalks being moved downwardly by the llutes 17 and a rearwardly disposed husking roll section 18 on 2 and 19 on roll 3.

Cooperative trash removing roll sections or end member 21\are preferably provided rearwardly of the husking roll sections 18 and 19 between the latter and the rear bearing housings 4.

The harvesting rolls are preferably of a built up type generally similar to those shown and described in Fergason, U. S. 2,538,965 and Scranton, U. S. 2,391,846, reference to which disclosures may be had if further details of construction are desired. The several roll portions or sections of each roll are securely mounted preferably in a removable manner, on shaft 11 for roll 2 and 12 for the roll 3, these shafts serving as the journal portions of the rolls. As indicated, the harvesting roll 3 includes the shaft 12 rotatably mounted in bearings in the bearing housings 4 and 6, and with the tapered point portion or section 9 secured by a suitable pin connection 13, to the shaft 12 and with a picking or snapping section 14 having its forward end clutch engaged with the point portion 9 and its rear portion mounted in end abutting relation to bearing housing 6, and a roll portion made up of the husking roll section 19 and the trash removing section or end member 21, secured to the shaft 12 by a suitable pin connection therebetween. The forward end of trash section 21 terminates in a cylindrical portion 22 of reduced diameter provided with at least one pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed grooves, keyway, splines or the like 23 (see Fig. 2), and an end member 24 slidably received on shaft 12 and abutting bearing assembly 6 at its rearward end is provided a rearward cylindrical portion 26 of reduced diameter provided with longitudinally extending grooves, keyways, splines or the like 27 similar in shape, number and arranged to the grooves 23 in end member 21. A relatively thin tube 28 surrounding the portion of shaft 12 included between end members 21 and 24 and having its opposite end portions telescopically surrounding and radially rigidly supported by the cylindrical end portions of the front'and rear members, and at least one pair of internal projections, keys or the like 29, which may be riveted or otherwise secured to or formed on each end of the tube, are slidably disposed in the diametrically opposed pair of grooves 27 and 23 of the front and rear end members 24 and 21. The forward portion of front end member 24 includes a clutch jaw connection 30 with fixed forward bearing member 31 of shaft 12. It is now apparent that as shaft 12 is rotated point section 9 and trash section 21 rotate with the shaft because they are pinned thereto. Snapping section 14 also rotates with shaft 12 because of the jaw clutch connection 16 between the snapping section and point section 9. Husking section 19 also rotates with shaft 12 because of its spline connection with trash section 21. The forward end of husking section 19 is spline connected to forward end member 24 and drives same as though it were being driven by a direct connection to shaft 12. The forward end member 24 has a jaw clutch connection 30 with stationary bearing member 31` and through same drives this bearing member. From the foregoing it is seen that a harvesting roll made up of a plurality of sections has been provided and wherein the shaft which supports and drives these sections is drilled only in three places to provide for pinning two of the sections to the shaft. Other things being equal ya shaft with three holes in it is stronger than one with more than three holes in it.

The ends of the roll shaft 11, 12 extend rearwardly beyond the bearing housings 4 and are provided with meshing gears 32, 33, respectively, and the adjacent end of one of these shafts, such as shaft 12, is provided with an extension for connection to a suitable source of power. It will be apparent that when the roll 12 is driven the cooperative roll 11 is driven in an opposite direction of rotation, through the meshing gears 32, 33 on the shafts of the rolls.

The metal tube 28 of the husking roll or roll section section 19 is provided with a suitable number and arrangement of through apertures 34, here shown as arranged in two pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal series. Extending outwardly from each aperture is a husking portion 36 of a husking plug 37. This husking portion 36 may include a pair of transversely spaced ribs 38 extending lengthwise of the roll. Within metal tube 28 a second tube 39 is positioned about shaft 12. This second tube, as shown in Fig. 3, has a generally square cross sectional configuration. A longitudinally and radially outwardly extending fm 41 is attached to transverse midportions of each of the sides 42 forming this second tube. A part of each side 42 is in contact with shaft 12 throughout the length of each side. This second tube can be fabricated in many ways. As shown in Fig. 3, this second tube is made of four pieces of sheet metal fastened together as by means of rivets 43 so that fins 41 are an integral part of the fabricated tube. Longitudinal end portions 44 of fins 41 extend into slots 45 in end members 21 and 24 to form a splined or keyed connection therebetween preventing relative rotation of the second tube and the end members.

If desired, this second tube can be in the form shown in Fig. 4 wherein the cross sectional configuration of the tube 46 is circular and the fins 47 are welded thereon. If this type of construction is used, the spline connection with the end members 21 and 24 will be the same as previously described. It is to be noted that in this embodiment, the base portion of the plug 37 has a curved configuration complementary to the tube 46 on which it is seated.

Husking plugs 37 are provided with inner support portions 48 having a slot 49 formed in its base 51, tapered sides 52 wherein the base 51 is smaller than outer portions of the plug, and a peripheral abutment portion 53 adjacent the outer end of said plug.

Husking plug 37 is easily insertible through aperture 34 to normal operative position, shown in Fig. 3, with the inner end of the plug in contact with one side f tube member 39 and with the radial fin of that side snugly received within slot 49. Plug 37 has a peripheral abutment portion 53, previously mentioned, in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of tube 28 adjacent aperture 34. Husking plugs 37 are provided with integral husking portions 36 which project beyond the periphery of tube 28 for husking coaction with the roll section opposed thereto. The configuration of husking portion 36 may be as varied as the treads on a tire. However, the preferred embodiment shows a husking portion comprising a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced ribs 38. It is to be noted that slot 49 in the base portion 51 of plug 37 is provided with filleted edges 54 which form a guide for fin 41 and 47 as the plug is being inserted into the roll.

Opposed roll 11 is generally constructed similarly to roll 12 and the details of construction will not be here repeated. The real difference between the two rolls lies in the husking section. Husking section 18 includes a metal tube 56 mounted on similar end members. This metal tube is covered with a layer of resilient material such as rubber 57. Portions of the rubber are removed to provide recesses 58 for receiving the husking portions 36 of plugs 37 when the recesses and plugs are in opposed adjacent relation, as is illustrated in Fig. 3 along the line of contact between husking sections.

It is to be noted that the outward end of husking portions 36 just barely touch the bottoms of recesses 58 during rotation when no material is between the rolls. With a mere contact there is no reversal of stresses in the husking ribs 38 each time contact is made with the opposed roll, but at the same time a very eicient husk gripping action is provided.

It is apparent that the invention is not limited to the particular features of design and construction described herein and shown in the drawing, and that the invention includes such other forms and modifications as are embraced within the scope of the annexed claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to a shaft extending the length thereof and having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of the roll, a rubber husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion nsertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment portion of said tube adjacent said aperture, and means for retaining said support portion in fixed relation to said tube, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll, said opposed roll being provided with a recess therein for receiving the husking portion of said plug when the recess and husking portions are in opposed adjacent relation.

2. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a rst thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to a shaft extending the length thereof, a second tube mounted about said shaft and having a radially outwardly extending fin thereon, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of a roll, and a husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion nsertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug having an outwardly extending slot in its inner end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said first tube adjacent said aperture and with the inner end of said plug engaged with the outer surface of said second tube and with said radical fin seated in the slot in said inner portion of said plug, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll.

3. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a first thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to a shaft extending the length thereof, a second tube mounted about said shaft and inside said first tube and having a radially outwardly extending fin thereon, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of the roll, and a husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion nsertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug having an outwardly extending slot in its inner end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said first tube adjacent said aperture and with the inner end of said plug engaged with the outer surface of said second tube and with said radial fin seated in the slot in said inner portion of said plug, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll.

4. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a first thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to a shaft extending the length thereof, a second tube mounted about said shaft and having a radially outwardly extending fin thereon, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of the roll with the center of said aperture lying in a plane including said fin, and a husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion nsertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug having an outwardly extending slot in its inner end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said first tube adjacent said aperture and with the inner end of said plug engaged with the outer surface of said second tube and with said radial fin seated in the slot in said inner portion of said plug, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll.

5. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a first thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to a shaft extending the length thereof, a second tube mounted about said shaft in contact therewith for preventing transverse movement of said second tube relative to said shaft and having a radially outwardly extending n thereon, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of the roll with the center of said aperture lying in a plane including said fin, and a husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion insertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug having an outwardly extending slot in its inner end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said first tube adjacent said aperture and with the inner end of said plug engaged with the outer surface of said second tube and with said radial n seated in the slot in said inner portion of said plug, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll.

6. In a corn harvester, a husking roll comprising a shaft extending the length of the roll and provided with a pair of end members mounted thereon in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, a first thin tube mounted in spaced concentric relation to said shaft and being supported on said end members, a second tube mounted about said shaft and being supported thereon and being drivenly connected to at least one of said end members and having a radially outwardly extending fin thereon, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of the roll, and a husking plug mounted in said aperture and including a support portion insertable inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin and having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outer end, said plug having an outwardly extending slot in its inner end, said plug being held in operative position within said aperture with the outer face of said abtument portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said first tube adjacent said aperture and with the inner end of said plug engaged with the outer surface of said second tube and with said radial fin seated in the slot in said inner portion of said plug, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said roll for coaction with an opposed roll.

7. In a corn harvester having a pair of opposed cooperative harvesting rolls, one of said rolls being provided with a shaft extending substantially the length thereof, the rear end of said roll being provided with an end member attached to and positioned about said shaft, a forward end member positioned about said shaft, a first tube supported between peripheral portions of said end members in concentric spaced relation to said shaft and being provided with clutch connections meshing with complementary connections on said end members, a second tube received between said first tube and said shaft, said second tube being of substantially square cross section, each of the four sides of said second tube being in contact with said shaft along the length of each side, each of said sides being provided with an outwardly extending fin extending lengthwise from mid transverse portions of each of said sides, said second tube being provided with jaw clutch end portions mating with comple-- mentary portions on said end members, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of said tube, a husking plug mounted in said aperture including a support portion having a slot in the inner end thereof and insertible inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin with the inner end of said plug in contact with one of the sides of said second tube and with the radial fin of that side received within said slot, said plug having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outward end, said plug being held in position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said roll adjacent said aperture, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said first tube for coaction with the other of said cooperative harvesting rolls.

8. In a corn harvester having a pair of opposed cooperative harvesting rolls, one of said rolls being provided with a shaft extending substantially the length thereof, the rear end of said roll being provided with an end member attached to and positioned about said shaft, a forward end member positioned about said shaft, a first tube supported on peripheral portions of said end members in concentric spaced relation to said shaft and being provided with clutch connections meshing with complementary connections on said end members, a second tube received between said first tube and said shaft, said second tube being of substantially square cross section, each of the four sides of said second tube being in Contact with said shaft along the length of each side, each of said sides being provided with a fin radially extending relative to the axis of said shaft and extending lengthwise from mid transverse portions of each of said sides, said second tube being provided with jaw clutch end portions mating with complementary portions on said end members, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of said tube, a husking plug mounted in said aperture including a support portion having a slot in the inner end thereof and insertible inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin with the inner end of said plug in contact with one of the sides of said second tube and with the radial fin of that side received within said slot, said plug having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outward end, said plug being held in position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said roll adjacent said aperture, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said rst tube for coaction with the other of said cooperative harvesting rolls.

9. In a corn harvester having a pair of opposed cooperative harvesting rolls, one of said rolls being provided with a shaft extending substantially the length thereof, the rear end of said roll being provided with an end member attached to and positioned about said shaft, a forward end member positioned about said shaft and restrained from forward longitudinal movement on said shaft by an abutting forward section of the roll including a point portion attached to said shaft, a rst tube supported on peripheral portions of said end members in concentric spaced relation to said shaft and being provided with clutch connections meshing with complementary connections on said end members, a second tube received between said first tube and said shaft, said second tube being of substantially square cross section, each of the four sides of said second tube being in contact with said shaft along the length of each side, each of said sides being provided with a radially extending fin extending lengthwise from mid transverse portions of each of said sides, said second tube being provided with jaw clutch end portions mating with complementary portions on said end members, said first tube having an aperture therein opening through the peripheral surface of said tube, a husking plug mounted in said aperture including a support portion having a slot in the inner end thereof and insertible inwardly through said aperture to normal operative position therewithin with the inner end of said plug in contact with one of the sides of said second tube and with the radial fin of that side received within said slot, said plug having a peripheral abutment portion adjacent its outward end, said plug being held in position within said aperture with the outer face of said abutment portion in forcible engagement with an inwardly facing abutment surface of said roll adjacent said aperture, said husking plug having an integral husking portion projecting beyond the periphery of said first tube for coaction with the other of said cooperative harvesting rolls, said other roll being provided with recesses therein for receiving the husking portions of said plugs when the recesses and plugs are in opposed adjacent relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,305 Bourquin June l, 1880 234,120 Elliott Nov. 9, 1880 2,391,846 Scranton Dec. 25, 1945 

